For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Thabi Madiba.

Making headlines: Salim Abdool Karim says citizens must ensure they are vaccinated by the time the fourth wave arrives; DA wants Blade Nzimande investigated; And, ANC offers strong endorsement of Eskom’s just energy transaction following lekgotla

Salim Abdool Karim says citizens must ensure they are vaccinated by the time the fourth wave arrives

Epidemiologist and infectious diseases specialist Professor Salim Abdool Karim said if people are to get infected during the inevitable Covid-19 fourth wave in the coming months, then they must be fully vaccinated.

Karim stressed that being fully vaccinated would put people in a better position during the imminent fourth wave, which is estimated to happen around November and December. 

Karim said future waves would be driven by new variants, but how it would emerge and what it would look like were unknown.

DA wants Blade Nzimande investigated

The Democratic Alliance has urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to urgently sign a proclamation to allow the Special Investigating Unit to probe the conduct of the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Blade Nzimande.

This follows allegations of financial mismanagement and contravening correct procurement processes levelled against him by his suspended director-general Gwebinkundla Qonde.

Qonde was suspended in July as a precautionary measure pending a forensic investigation into the National Skills Fund, after the Auditor-General noted inadequate financial reporting in the annual report.

Qonde has accused Nzimande of procurement violations and interference with appointments and operations in the department.

He also claims that Nzimande encouraged him to flout procurement rules in relation to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme laptop debacle.

And, ANC offers strong endorsement of Eskom’s just energy transaction following lekgotla

The National Executive Committee of the African National Congress has given its backing to the just energy transaction being pursued by State-owned electricity producer Eskom.

In closing remarks following the NEC’s September lekgotla, ANC president And, ANC offers strong endorsement of Eskom’s just energy transaction following lekgotla said that the lekgotla welcomed the detailed planning Eskom had done for a just energy transaction at one power station, which “would ensure that workers and community wellbeing was assured and advanced in this process”.

Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter has been overseeing the formulation of the transaction, which is premised on raising concessional climate finance from international funders to support the repurposing and repowering of decommissioned power stations. It also aims to provide support and employment opportunities for workers and communities that will be negatively affected by the closure of coal mines and coal-fired power stations.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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